Magic want to grab Lewis, re-sign Milicic

June 26, 2007|By Brian Schmitz, Sentinel Staff Writer

The Orlando Magic are expected to contact Seattle SuperSonics small forward Rashard Lewis and make a contract offer to power forward Darko Milicic on Sunday when the NBA free-agent market officially opens for business.

While the Magic don't believe New Jersey Nets guard Vince Carter or Detroit Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups will leave their respective teams as free agents, they also will aggressively gauge their interest as well. Charlotte Bobcats guard Gerald Wallace also could be on the short list.

But according to those close to the situation, the 6-foot-10 Lewis is the Magic's prime target. The Magic are looking for a proven scorer, and Lewis averaged a career-high 22.4 points per game last season, tying Kevin Garnett among league leaders.

For Orlando, Milicic and Lewis are intertwined in their master plan this summer.

They need to make a decision rather quickly on Milicic before they can attempt to sign a high-salaried star such as Lewis. Milicic carries a phantom "cap hold" contract figure that projects his maximum value on the team's salary cap.

Magic General Manager Otis Smith said Monday that he hopes an "amicable" deal can be reached with Milicic, a sentiment seconded by Milicic's agent, Marc Cornstein. Orlando can match any offer for Milicic, a restricted free agent.

"This is a situation, on paper, where Darko should be re-signed by Orlando," Cornstein said. "We'll see on Sunday where we're at."

A deal in principle could be worked out, although Cornstein likely will see what the market will bear. But only a handful of teams have enough cap room to sign Milicic.

If the Magic and Milicic reach an impasse, Cornstein said a sign-and-trade of Milicic to another team would be an option. Cornstein said he expects to hear from a variety of clubs on Sunday who might be exploring a trade.

If the Magic do re-sign Milicic, they likely must make other trades to sign Lewis, who could command a five-year deal at an average of $15 million per season.

Lewis, who turns 28 in August, has averaged 16.6 the past nine years for the SuperSonics. But he has averaged more than 20 points per game the past three seasons, and scorched the Magic for 45 points during the 2006 season.

Lewis, a 2005 all-star, opted out of his contract with the Sonics in late May, leaving $21 million on the table.

Seattle can pay Lewis the most money, as it is the only team that can offer him a six-year deal.

But the Sonics have the No. 2 pick in Thursday night's draft and are expected to select former Texas star Kevin Durant, who plays the same small-forward position as Lewis.